Conservation group to host fishing tournament Sept. 28

The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee will host its first Fish Frenzy, a kayak and canoe fishing tournament, Saturday, Sept.28, at the Tsali Boat Ramp on Lake Fontana.

The Fish Frenzy is an opportunity for avid anglers from across the region to join in the spirit of sport fishing in the Little Tennessee River watershed. The event will begin at 6:45 a.m. with a designated launch time scheduled for 7:30 a.m. The entry fee is $30 and registration for the event closes Monday, Sept. 23.

The LTLT works to conserve watersheds and streams in the drainage of the Little Tennessee River. For 24 years, the organization has been using fish sampling to assess water quality in the Little Tennessee River basin and undertaken projects to protect aquatic species.

Only non-motorized boats are allowed. Scoring for the tournament is based on catch-photograph-release methods with winnings determined by the total length of the best five fish caught. To highlight the unique biodiversity of the Little Tennessee River watershed, additional incentives will be awarded for catching multiple species of fish.

Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day Sept. 28 with special events and a campaign to get more people involved in the outdoors.

The Commission is hosting several events across the state that highlight North Carolina’s hunting, fishing and conservation heritage. In Western North Carolina, there will be an event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education near Brevard. Through interactive activities and demonstrations, participants can connect with nature and learn outdoor skills like fishing, archery, campfire cooking and conservation history.

National Hunting and Fishing Day was created by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to celebrate conservation successes of hunters and anglers. In addition to recreation, hunting and fishing activities support upward of 29,000 jobs in North Carolina.